ROBERT WILLIAM MUSGRAVE, M. D.

The fact that Dr. Musgrave came to Hanford, Kings county, long before it could boast the proud name of city gives him undisputed claim to the title pioneer. When he first set foot within its present confines but one physician had preceded him hither. Dr. Musgrave at once saw before him the possibilities of a growing town, and forthwith established an office which has witnessed a growing practice from that day to the present time. Not content to serve his own interests alone, he worked unremittingly for the betterment and upbuilding of the infant town, and as secretary of the Hanford Improvement Company his influence was far-reaching.

A native of California, Dr. Musgrave was born in Grass Valley, Nevada county, December 9, 1858, a son of Richard M. The grandfather, who was a native of Scotland, as an employe of the English government, had charge of surveying the harbor of Waterford, Ireland. It was while the family were residing in the latter place that the birth of Richard M. occurred, and there also he spent his early youth. Brought up within sight of the placid ocean his inborn love for the water led him to adopt a sea- faring life, and when still a young boy entered the English navy. Working his way up gradually he finally became captain of an English merchantman, which landed in the harbor of San Francisco in 1855. This trip proved to be his last nautical experience, for he afterward became interested in the mines of California, and finally became superintendent of the Gold Hill Mill and Mining Company, and still later having an interest in the Idaho mines. His vigorous out-door life had given him a robust constitution, and the news of his death in Grass Valley, in 1878, after an illness of only three days, was a severe shock to all who had known him. His ocean voyages had taken him into all the principal seaports of the world, and at the time of his death he was a comparatively young man, being only fifty-five years old. His wife, in maidenhood Margaret Wilson, was born in the north of Ireland of Scotch parents, who allied themselves with the Orangemen in sentiment and belief. Her father, Robert W. Wilson, served as a soldier in the English army, and when quite advanced in years came to the United States, locating in Philadelphia, Pa., where his death occurred at the age of eighty years. The mother of Dr. Musgrave, with her two sisters, came to San Francisco from Philadelphia about 1855, being accompanied on the journey by Bishop Kipp. Mrs. Musgrave died in Oakland in 1901, when in her sixty-seventh year. She was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. The parental
family comprised five children, two of whom died young. Those living are: Robert William, Mary E., the wife of W. J. Tuck, of Oakland, Cal, and Margaret Wilson, the widow of George W. Payne.

Dr. Musgrave attended the public schools of Grass Valley, graduating therefrom in 1873. In 1875 he entered the University of California and was duly graduated from that institution in 1879. Among his classmates was G. C. Pardee, who afterward became governor of the state. After his graduation Dr. Musgrave taught school at Brentwood, Cal., for a time, and later was temporarily engaged in mining, surveying and railroading in Nevada, but finally returned to teaching, becoming principal of a school in Contra Costa county, Cal. The last two years of this time he had been reading medicine and he subsequently entered the California Medical College at San Francisco, graduating therefrom in April, 1884. He came at once to Hanford, and has had no cause to regret his choice, as he has established a lucrative practice and stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.

The marriage of Dr. Musgrave occurred January 15, 1900, and united his fortunes with those of Sue A. Barrett, who was born in Michigan. They have become the parents of three children, Margery M., Dorothy and Donald Robert. Politically Dr. Musgrave is a stanch Republican, and has taken an active part in promoting the party's welfare. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, being a member and past master of Hanford Lodge No. 279, and Hanford Chapter No. 74, R. A. M., in which he has served as treasurer. He is president of Hanford Parlor, N. S. G. W., and is a charter member of the local lodge of the Woodmen of the World. The family find their religious home in the Episcopal Church.

History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California
Prof. James Miller Guinn , 1905, Pages 1603-1604

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R. W. MUSGRAVE, Ph. B, M.D., was born in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, in 1857. His father, Richard M. Musgrave, was a native of the north of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. He was a sea-faring man, a captain of an English merchantman, that brought a cargo of merchandise to San Francisco in the early days of the gold excitement, and he with his mates left the vessel and went to the mines in Nevada County, where he was prominently connected with mining interests during the remainder of his life. He was married in Grass Valley in 1856, to Miss Margaret Wilson, a native of Scotland, and they resided there until the death of Mr. Musgrave, in 1878.

R. W. Musgrave was educated in the public schools of Grass Valley, graduating in the high school in 1873. He then entered the University of California, taking a scientific course and graduating in 1879. He obtained his medical education in the California Medical College of San Francisco, and graduated in 1884. Dr. Musgrave began the practice of his profession in Hanford, Tulare County, and is now the second oldest physician in the town. He does a general practice, and has a large and extended patronage.

The doctor was married in San Francisco in January, 1890, to Miss Sue A. Barrett, a native of Michigan. This union has been blessed with one child, -- Marjorie.

In fraternal circles Dr. Musgrave occupies a prominent position. He has been Master of Hanford Lodge, No. 279, F.& A.M., for three years, and is a charter member of Hanford Parlor, No. 37, N.S.G.W., having filled the chair of President for several years. He was one of the incorporators of the Hanford Improvement Association, and is still secretary and a member of the board of directors. This company purchased 400 acres near Hanford, subdivided it into tracts of ten acres and organized the Lucerne colony, which is now one of the prosperous colonies of the valley.

Memorial and Biographical History of the counties of Fresno, Tulare and Kern, California, 1892 Pages 659-660

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Note - Marriage was in 1890.
His mother, Margaret (Wilson) Musgrave, died January 11, 1900 in Oakland.